December Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this December
Take the Bristol Miscellany Quiz 2025
This Christmas we have another Bristol-themed festive quiz for you to test your local knowledge. The questions are all inspired by historical facts from the brilliant Manson’s Bristol Miscellany - the perfect gift for a Bristolian this Christmas! Why not share the quiz with your friends or work colleagues and see who scores highest?
OUT NOW!
Self Portrait with Animals
Martin Rieser
In this collection of Ekphrastic verses, Bristol poet, Martin Rieser, reflects on personal identity and agency inspired by pictures that include images of animals by some of the world’s most revered artists. These poems will surprise and delight the reader, and the pictures will never be seen again without the verses echoing long in the viewer’s mind.
Bristol Books in Little Book Stop
Bristol Books have donated a selection of books to the Little Book Stop, located in Redfield’s 3ft 6 Cafe on Lancaster Street. The cafe was chosen as one of 90 locations by Penguin in partnership with the non-profit Little Free Library. The community bookshelves are looked after by volunteer and cafe co-owner Jack Barnett. Find out more about our community impact here.
Get your local Christmas gifts
Looking for gifting inspiration? Take a look at our Christmas book guide. Whether you are buying a Secret Santa for a friend, or choosing a special gift for a family member, we have a huge range of local books to choose from. There’s also a 10% discount code inside!
December events
Bristol Books @ Chew Magna Christmas Fayre
2pm – 5:30pm, Saturday 6th December
St Andrew’s Church, Chew Magna
Visit the Bristol Books stand in St Andrew’s Church, Chew Magna and find the perfect local Christmas gift. Festive events will be taking place across the village including a lights switch-on, plus performances by the school choir and Congresbury brass band.
Book launch: Self Portrait with Animals
Martin Rieser
7:30pm, Tuesday 2nd December
The John Sebastian Lightship, Bathurst Basin
Supporting poets include: Sophie Dumont, Lisa Lopresti, Agata Palmer, Naomi Madlock, Pete Weinstock, and David Punter.
The Life & Times of Harry Dolman
Talk by author Clive Burlton on the multi-millionaire, inventor, draughtsman and engineer, Harry Dolman OBE, who’s love of football led him to Bristol City Football Club where he became director, chairman and president.
7:30pm, Friday 5th December
Stoke Bishop Local History Group, Stoke Bishop Village Hall
7:30pm, Thursday 11th December
Long Ashton Local History Society, Jubilee Pavilion
PICTURE THIS…
Downend’s memorial to the greatest cricketer
The opening of the WG Grace Memorial Pavilion at Downend Cricket Club on 6th June 1922. Born in Downend, Bristol in 1848, William Gilbert Grace was an English cricketer who is widely considered one of the sport's all-time greatest players. This image is taken from A History of the Bristol & District Cricket Association, by Trevor Crouch and Edwin Morris.